Even more batteries included with Emacs
6 hours ago
- #Productivity
- #Hidden features
- #Emacs tips
- Emacs has a discoverability problem, with many lesser-known built-in features.
- Third article in series highlighting lesser-known Emacs features; focuses on stock Emacs, no packages.
- Dictionary-tooltip-mode shows word meanings on hover, works with local dictionaries and contemporary jargon.
- find-file and dired support wildcards for opening multiple files or custom listings.
- ffap-menu scans buffer for file paths or URLs, offering completing-read interface for selection.
- compare-windows provides lightweight diff between two windows, ignoring whitespace with prefix.
- dired-compare-directories compares directories, marking differences based on custom predicates.
- highlight-changes-mode highlights buffer changes, can be automated to show unsaved changes.
- VC commands extended to work with backup files, offering diff and revision viewing for non-version-controlled files.
- Apropos family includes specialized commands like customize-apropos for searching and customizing options.
- find-function-on-key jumps to source of command bound to key, streamlining code exploration.
- copy-from-above-command and duplicate-dwim enhance text duplication with customizable behavior.
- kmacro-edit-lossage creates macros from recent keystroke history, addressing foresight in macro recording.
- subword-mode treats CamelCase components as words; superword-mode treats snake_case as single word.
- Image manipulation via i key in image displays allows zooming, rotating, and cropping.
- visible-mode reveals all hidden text in buffer, useful for debugging or viewing folded content.
- isearch-toggle-invisible toggles searching invisible text, aiding navigation in folded documents.
- ruler-mode interactively sets display margins and fill-column via mouse actions.
- refill-mode automatically refills paragraphs to maintain fill-column, unlike auto-fill-mode.
- scroll-all-mode synchronizes scrolling across all windows, useful for comparing files.
- emacs-lock-mode prevents buffer or Emacs termination, useful for preserving important buffers.
- undelete-frame-mode restores recently closed frames, similar to window or tab history.